Latch or keeper means



Feb. 23 1926.

E. CROMPTN ET AL LATCH OR KEEPER MEANS Filed Oct. l2, 1921 karles L. Crooks) @Af-f ttoznm J 'EDWIN CROMPTON AND CHARLES L. CROOKS, OF PUEBLO., COLORADO, ASSIGNOES TO TEE POSITIVE LOCK COMPANY, OF PUEBLO, COLORADO, A CORPORATION OF COLO- RADO.

LATCH OR KEEPER MEANS.

Applicatiorled October 12, 1921. Serial No. 507,190.

To all whom; 'it may concer/n;

Be it known that we, EDWIN CRoMr'roN and CHARLES L. Crooks, citizens of the United States, residing at Pueblo, county of Pueblo, State of Colorado, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Latch or Keeper Means; and we do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others sklled in the art to which it appertalns to make and use the same.

. This invention relates to latch or keeper means, and relates more particularly to latch or keeper means for use on doors or winr dows of vehicles such as automobiles, al-

though it is to be understood that the inventon is not limited to this particular use.

Latch or keeper means used on automobiles are subject to much vibration and rough usage, causing the parts to wear and this, together with the stresses caused from hard usage, results in loose fitting parts and connections with consequent rattling.

An object of this invention is to provide i' latch or keeper means vwhich will readily yield to receive the bolt to be latched, but which will cooperatewith the lock or latch bolt to hold the latter positively and firmly on all sides, thereby" preventlng rattling and helping to eliminate wear.

Other objects and features of this invention will be apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings which illustrate a latch or keeper construction embodying our invention.

In the drawings,

. Fig. l is a side or face view in elevation of a latch or keeper construction embodying our invention with the cover plate removed andthe cooperating bolt, shown in section,

' in position in the"latch or keeper;

Fig. 2 is a view similar to that illustrated in Fig. 1, the parts being in open position r with the bolt, shown in section, entering the latch or keeper;

Fig'. 3fis a vertical section view on line 3-3 of Fig. 1 withthe cover plate in position; and v Fig. 4' is an enlarged detail view of some of the parts disassembled.

The latch or keeper construction embodyving our invention 1s especially adapted :for

use with a lock 0r latch of the type Shawna forexample, in our U. S. Patent No. 1,419,-

230 in which the normall projecting bolt engages, and is held in latclied posltion by a yielding latch or keeper, the bolt being retracted only when it is desired to lremove it from its latched position, when it is withdrawn laterally from within the latch or keeper. The bolt can be retracted by some suitable handle device of known or suitable construction not necessary to illustrate. However, our invention is not to be limited to this use since it may be used equally well with a stationary bolt or catch.

Broadly stated, .our invention comprises latching means projecting in thepath of a bolt yieldable to allow the bolt to pass and then movable to overhang the bolt and prevent its passage in the opposite directionV `and movable abutment means engageable by said bolt and holding the latter in engagement with the latching means.

More specifically described, our invention comprises opposed resiliently-pressed members separable one from the other by the insertion of a bolt therebetween, and a pivoted abutment engageable by a bolt entering between said members operable by one of said members to press the bolt against said member.

Referring to the drawings, 10 indicates the latch or keeper casing or mounting which may be of any su itable shape and construction to support the latch or keeper elements. As here illustrated, the mounting or housing comprises a base plate 11 havin right angle extensions forming sides 12 an 13 and ends 14 and 15. A cover plate 16 bolt which does not yield when the bolt engages the latch or keeper as the door is bemg closed. The outer end of the bolt B normally projects from the free edge of the door and es the door is swung to close it,`

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lloose-play between the bolt an means not only for latching the bolt, but for firmly and positively clamping and holding it on all sides to prevent rattling or keeper means .when the bolt is .in latched position. In the example illustrated, two opposed hook-shaped rmembers' 21 and'22 are pivoted in thespace between plates 11 and 16 on pins or vrivets 17 and 18 respectively.

The hooked ends 210 and 220 of the inem:

bers 2l and 22 are disposed adjacent the j front or forward side' of the' casing and normally lie almost in contact with one another in the slot or recess 20 and are pressed toward each other by suitable spring means.

' or pivoted end with alright angle extension i' abutment As illustrated, the hookA members 21 and 22 are'pressed toward each other by coiled springs 21a and 22a respectively, the-springs being confined between the side 12 of .the casing and the hook members? The hook members are each 211v and 22b respectively which extend into one` end of each of the springs to prevent their disengagement from then/hookmembers. The opposed edges -of the outer extremities of.v the hook members are curved inwardly to provide a tapering entrance for the side of the bolt and thus facilitate the separation of the hook members 21 and 22v as the door is 'swung shut. One of the hook members, in this case the hook members 22. is provided at its inner 221, vforming ineiiect a bell-crank lever. The extension end of the hook member 22 is connected'by a'pivot 23 to one'end of an 24, the other end ot' which is pivoted at 17 to allow the abutme'nt'to swing across the path of the bolt.

i member-22'swings onA its pivot it will cause the abutment member 24 to swing onl -its ivot. The arrangement is such thatas the oor -is swung'shut,the side of the. projecting' bolt enters between the hook members,

l forcing them apa rt, the member 22 causingy the abutment member 24 to swing on its pvot 17 back or away from the entering lt.l After the bolt passes the r:hook ends "210 and 220 of the hook members, the latter close behind the bolt to prevent movement against opposite abutment member 24 .being swung von its-l -of thegbolt in the opposite direction to open,

the door, the side faces of the hookmembers adjacent the sides of thejbolt, andthe pivot to engage the bolt and force it against the hook v ends 210. and 220. vllt'ivvill be seen y 20. Within the-casinglO, we have provided d the latch or .l any shaped bolt may be used. although we provided with.v bent pins -When' thehookVv vre'ction and the abutment and engaging the bolt'to force it against the bolt'v engaging and pressingthat this action not only latches the bolt, but

the members 21 and 22 andthe part-'of theft abutment 24 which engages the bolt are -shaped to conform substantially to 'the shape of the sides of the bolt which they engage so that they will have an extended bearing engagement with said bolt. We have shown our invention used in conjunction with a V-shaped bolt,` but it is to be understood that considerthe V-shaped bolt desirable as a bolt of this shape'will enter the latch or keeper members more easily. member 24 is rovided lwith a curved slot 25 through which the rivet l8extends so that the latter will not interfere with the tree movement of the abutment'member and permitting the rivet 18 to be extended through the casing to hold the plates 11 and 16 together. v'Adjacent the inner end of the slot 2O a stationary abutment block 26 is provided. When the bolt'is held in the keeper, this block is slightly back of the movable abutment 24,'but when the parts of the keeper are wideV open, block 26 is slightly in front or ahead of the movable abutment 24. In closing the door, especially when it is slammed shut, this stationary abutment re' ceives the impact of the bolt, thus relieving the latch or keeper members from the shock `and resultant wear.

It-is believed that the operation of o uv device is clear from the foregoing description and i-t will therefore be only briefly stated here. As shown in'Fig. 2," when the door is closed the bolt enters the latch or 'keeper and forces the 'members 21 and 22 come together' to grip opposite sides of the bolt, the-hook ends closing behind the bolt to preventits movement in theopposite d1- 24moving toward hook ends. The vbolt is thus securely clamped to prevent all side movement in addition to being. securely. latched. vToopen the door, the hook members are opened or else the vbolt is retracted laterally from between the keeper members. J y

` What we claim" is z l' `rattlingthereof. v The combination,v with a bolt, of latching means projecting in the path of the bolt movablezto allow lthe holt .to pass and then The abutment lll lll

i' '1. The combination, with a bolt, of clam movable to prevent the bolt repassing, and means operable by said latching means for holding said bolt'in engagement with the latter.

3. The combination, with a bolt, of latching means therefor comprising means projecting in the path of said bolt movable to I allow the same to pass and then movable to prevent the bolt repassing, and means movable inA the line of movement of the bolt to engage and press the bolt against said latching means.

4. The combination, with a bolt, of latching means therefor comprising means projecting in the path of the bolt yieldable to allow the bolt `to pass and then movable to overhang the bolt and prevent its passage' in the opposite direction, and movable abutment means engageable by said bolt and holding the bolt in engagement with said latching means.

5. T he combination, with a bolt, of keeper means therefor comprising a movable abutof a bolt therebetween.

vided with edges adapted to have extensive' bearing engagement against the sides of a bolt therebetween, said members acting atsubstantially right angles to one another.

8. 'lhe combination, with a bolt, of latch 'or keeper means therefor comprising at least three members ,resiliently pressed one toward the other and separable by the movement of the bolt in entering, the opposite edges of said members being shaped to conform substantially to the shape of the bolt engaged thereby whereby said edges have extensive bearing engagement against all of the sides 9. The combination, with a bolt, of latch or keeper means therefor comprising a movable abutment, and a hook member, said bolt movable past the hookv end of said beingj .mem er to latch the bolt in the space between said hook end and saidabutment, said abutment* pressing said boltl against said lhook end.

10. The combination, with a bolt, of latch or keeper means therefor comprising means adapted to have bearing engagement against opposite sides of a bolt therebetween, and means adapted to have bearing engagement fnagainfst opposite sides of the bolt substantially\ at right angles to the rst mentioned sides.

11. The combination, with a bolt, of latch or keeper means therefor comprising a movable abutment, and hook members, said bolt being movable past the hook ends of said members to latch the bolt in the space between said hook ends and said abutment, said hook members pressing against opposite sides of said bolt and said abutment pressing said bolt against said hook ends.

12. Latch or keeper means of the class described comprising opposed members separable one from the other by the insertion of a bolt therebetween, and a movable abutment engageable by a bolt entering between said members and holding said bolt in engagement with said members.

13. Latch or keper means of the class described comprising opposed hook shape members separable one from the other by the insertion of a bolt therebetween, and a movable abutment spaced from the hook ends of said members and arranged so that a bolt inserted between said members will be retained between said hook ends and said abutment, said abutment holding said bolt in engagement with said members.

14. Latch or keeper means oi the class described comprising opposed pivoted members having their opposed edges conforming substantially to the shape ot the bolt inserted therebetween, spring means pressing said members toward one another, and a movable abutment, said abutment adapted o press the bolt against said pivoted memers.

15. The combination, with a bolt, of latching means therefor movable by said bolt and adapted to hold the latter in latched position, and a movable abutment operable by said latching means for holding said bolt in engagement therewith.

16. Latch or keeper means of the class described comprising opposed members separable one from the other by the vinsertion of a bolt therebetween, and a pivoted abutment engageable by a bolt entering between said members operable by one of the members to press said bolt against said member.

17. Latch or keeper means of the class described comprising opposed membersseparable one-from the other by the insertion of a bolt therebetween, spring means pressing said members toward one another, and a pivoted abutment engageable by a bolt entering between said members operable by one of the members to press said bolt against said member.

18. Latch or keeper' means of the class described comprising opposed pivoted mem-- bers separable one from the other by the insertion of a bolt therebetween, spring means pressing said members toward one4 another, and a-movable abutment engagebl@ by t bolt entering between said members and.

holding said bolt in engagement with said members.

19. Latch or keeper means of the class described comprisingy opposed resilientlypressed pivoted membersseparable one from the otherl by the insertion of a bolt therebetween, and a pivoted abutment engageable by a bolt entering between said members, one of said/,members being connected to said abutment to operate it to force said bolt in engagement with said members after entry of thev bolt therebetween.

2,0. The combination, with-a bolt, of latching means projecting in the path of the bolt movable to allow the bolt to pass and then movable to prevent the bolt repassing, said latching means adapted to press against and clamp said bolt, and means movable to hold said bolt in engagement with 4said latching means.

2l'. The combination, with a comprising cooperating members adapted to receive said bolt therebetween, one of said members pressing towa-rd the other member and against said bolt to clamp the bolt'between said members, and means adapted and arranged to clamp said bolt to prevent rattling thereof. j i l 22. The combination, with, 'a bolt, 'of latch means therefor comprising a movable abutment andcooperating members, one of which j is providedwith an overhanging end, said bolt being movable past the overhanging end of said member to latch the bolt in the space between said overhanging end and said abutment, said bolt being clamped vbetween said 'cooperating members and said abutment clamping said bolt against said over- -hanging end.

bolt, yof means 23. rIlle combination, with a bolt, of latching means projecting in the path of the bolt, said latchingv means movable to allow the bolt to pass and then movable to prevent the bolt repassing, and means automatically movable to hold said bolt in engagement with said-latching means.

24. The combination, with a bolt, of latching means projecting in the path of the bolt, said latching means movable to allow the bolt to pass and then movable to prevent the bolt repassing, and means automatically movable to engage the bolt and substantially prevent rattling thereof.

25. The combination, with a bolt, of latching means movable by said bolt and adapted to hold the latter in latched position, and

means operable irrespective of wear on the.

parts to cause snug engagement of said bolt with said latching means. j

26. The combination, with arv bolt, of latching means movable by said bolt and adapted to hold the latter in latched position, and means operable irrespective of wear on the parts both to cause snug engagement of said bolt with said latching means and to release such engagement. A i

27. Latch or keeper means of the class dscrbed lcomprising opposed: members separable one from the other by the insertion of a bolt therebetween, and means engageable by a bolt entering between said members for holding said bolt in snug engagement with said latching means, said means movable to release such engagement.

In testlmony whereof we hereunto affix our signatures.

EDWIN -CRoMPToNQ CHARLES L. cRooKs. 

